Meter reading high !!

[GracesGrandma]

I have type 2 and not on medication (yet) I struggle to control the illness and especially in the last 12 months as I have given all my energy etc to taking care of a very poorly husband and sad to say I've neglected myself and the diabetes. I took a blood sugar test this morning (first one since July) and reading was 14.2 ! I re-took the test a few minutes later and it was 15.3 !! My breakfast was just a bowl,of cereal, so that was not the best, but a quick breakfast before doing the school run for my granddaughter. I've just been diagnosed with Lupus which does not help the situation. I find information on carbs so confusing, has anyone got a simple list of foods which I can eat without raising my sugar levels? Thanks

 

[Bubbsie]

I have type 2 and not on medication (yet) I struggle to control the illness and especially in the last 12 months as I have given all my energy etc to taking care of a very poorly husband and sad to say I've neglected myself and the diabetes. I took a blood sugar test this morning (first one since July) and reading was 14.2 ! I re-took the test a few minutes later and it was 15.3 !! My breakfast was just a bowl,of cereal, so that was not the best, but a quick breakfast before doing the school run for my granddaughter. I've just been diagnosed with Lupus which does not help the situation. I find information on carbs so confusing, has anyone got a simple list of foods which I can eat without raising my sugar levels? Thanks

Grace...sorry to hear about the difficulties you have...often we have to prioritise family members above our own needs...particularly when poorly...those figures you have given are high...but...not unmanageable...however...as you say the cereal would not have helped...managing on diet & exercise alone is much harder than many anticipate...no doubt you are aware its all about lowering our carbs...unfortunately there is no set diet that meets the needs of all type2s...diet is very much an individual matter for each of us...some members are able to tolerate cereals fairly well...others cannot... that's where testing comes into it's own...one of our members @wirralass swears by her copy of Carbs & Cals...it will give you a list of the carbs & calories of most foods...advise you on the total number of carbs and calories content per portion...if you don't have access to a copy then that could be a valuable resource for you...can you tell us when/how you were diagnosed...what your BG was at the start of your diagnosis...that would help others here to offer the right support & suggestions...no doubt caring for your husband must be stressful...stress can play a large part in raising your blood sugar...ask any questions you need to here...anything at all...no doubt one of us could help...have a look at some of the threads...in particular the 'What did you eat yesterday' one...that will give you some idea of how other members manage their condition...there are also the recipe threads...I can't advise on whether the Lupus complicates your diabetes...no experience...however...we may have some members who can...good luck...keep us updated.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Breakfast can be the most difficult time of day with type 2 diabetes because you can be more insulin resistant at the start of the day, and you may have extra glucose being released by your liver to 'fire up the burners' and get you ready for the day.

I have seen many members here relying on berries and full-fat yoghurt (Greek yoghurt seems popular). Berries tend to be relatively low carb, low fat youghurts are usually higher carb and may be full of sugar to improve flavour, but full fat yoghurt will help to slow the release of carbs and fat/protein tend to make you feel fuller for longer. Don't worry so much about the fat, as full fat dairy products seem to get a pretty clean bill of health in more recent research.

Another forum favourite for T2 breakfasts is eggs. Either with a slice of toast (there are lower carb/slower release versinos available if you struggle with bread) or pre-prepared as a frittata. This can be cooked in advance and kept in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go solution 🙂

 

[grovesy]

I have type 2 and not on medication (yet) I struggle to control the illness and especially in the last 12 months as I have given all my energy etc to taking care of a very poorly husband and sad to say I've neglected myself and the diabetes. I took a blood sugar test this morning (first one since July) and reading was 14.2 ! I re-took the test a few minutes later and it was 15.3 !! My breakfast was just a bowl,of cereal, so that was not the best, but a quick breakfast before doing the school run for my granddaughter. I've just been diagnosed with Lupus which does not help the situation. I find information on carbs so confusing, has anyone got a simple list of foods which I can eat without raising my sugar levels? Thanks

Have you been prescribed steroids for your Lupus as these can raise blood sugar.

 

[Bubbsie]

Have you been prescribed steroids for your Lupus as these can raise blood sugar.

Good point grovesy...knew someone here would have the possible answer

 

[GracesGrandma]

Hi, yes been taking steroids for 2 weeks now !! Got an appointment for 3 pm today with GP so will be interesting to hear what they have to say on that. My rheumatologist knows I am a diabetic so you would have thought he would have warned me about the possibility of a high blood sugar reading, then I would not have worried so much this morning !

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi, yes been taking steroids for 2 weeks now !! Got an appointment for 3 pm today with GP so will be interesting to hear what they have to say on that. My rheumatologist knows I am a diabetic so you would have thought he would have warned me about the possibility of a high blood sugar reading, then I would not have worried so much this morning !

Good luck with your appointment Grace...keep us updated.

 

[grovesy]

Hi, yes been taking steroids for 2 weeks now !! Got an appointment for 3 pm today with GP so will be interesting to hear what they have to say on that. My rheumatologist knows I am a diabetic so you would have thought he would have warned me about the possibility of a high blood sugar reading, then I would not have worried so much this morning !

Unfortunately they don't always warn. Even steroids injected into joints can raise the blood glucose too. They can also increase appetite.

 

[GracesGrandma]

Breakfast can be the most difficult time of day with type 2 diabetes because you can be more insulin resistant at the start of the day, and you may have extra glucose being released by your liver to 'fire up the burners' and get you ready for the day.

I have seen many members here relying on berries and full-fat yoghurt (Greek yoghurt seems popular). Berries tend to be relatively low carb, low fat youghurts are usually higher carb and may be full of sugar to improve flavour, but full fat yoghurt will help to slow the release of carbs and fat/protein tend to make you feel fuller f

Unfortunately they don't always warn. Even steroids injected into joints can raise the blood glucose too. They can also increase appetite.

Unfortunately they don't always warn. Even steroids injected into joints can raise the blood glucose too. They can also increase appetite.

or longer. Don't worry so much about the fat, as full fat dairy products seem to get a pretty clean bill of health in more recent research.

Another forum favourite for T2 breakfasts is eggs. Either with a slice of toast (there are lower carb/slower release versinos available if you struggle with bread) or pre-prepared as a frittata. This can be cooked in advance and kept in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go solution 🙂

Unfortunately they don't always warn. Even steroids injected into joints can raise the blood glucose too. They can also increase appetite.

 

[GracesGrandma]

Hi, yes my GP admitted that they don't always warn of these things, not good is it !! Anyway now on Metformin from tomorrow, blood pressure is high so doubling up on Ramipril now. As for appetite, yes that's increased also, I'm always hungry and I'm comfort eating as well due I think to the stress I'm under just now, which equals weight gain, aaaargh, stop the world I want to get off !!

 

[grovesy]

Hi, yes my GP admitted that they don't always warn of these things, not good is it !! Anyway now on Metformin from tomorrow, blood pressure is high so doubling up on Ramipril now. As for appetite, yes that's increased also, I'm always hungry and I'm comfort eating as well due I think to the stress I'm under just now, which equals weight gain, aaaargh, stop the world I want to get off !!

Unfortunately stress also tends to impact on levels too.

 

[GracesGrandma]

Breakfast can be the most difficult time of day with type 2 diabetes because you can be more insulin resistant at the start of the day, and you may have extra glucose being released by your liver to 'fire up the burners' and get you ready for the day.

I have seen many members here relying on berries and full-fat yoghurt (Greek yoghurt seems popular). Berries tend to be relatively low carb, low fat youghurts are usually higher carb and may be full of sugar to improve flavour, but full fat yoghurt will help to slow the release of carbs and fat/protein tend to make you feel fuller for longer. Don't worry so much about the fat, as full fat dairy products seem to get a pretty clean bill of health in more recent research.

Another forum favourite for T2 breakfasts is eggs. Either with a slice of toast (there are lower carb/slower release versinos available if you struggle with bread) or pre-prepared as a frittata. This can be cooked in advance and kept in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go solution 🙂

 

[GracesGrandma]

Many thanks for this info, taking it on board. First Metformin tablet earlier today now I am camped outside the bathroom !! The doc did warn me of the runs! Sugar levels at 13.0 after breakfast of porridge and perspiring for England (sorry folks) so not feeling well at all today!

 

[GracesGrandma]

Unfortunately they don't always warn. Even steroids injected into joints can raise the blood glucose too. They can also increase appetite.

 

[Bubbsie]

Many thanks for this info, taking it on board. First Metformin tablet earlier today now I am camped outside the bathroom !! The doc did warn me of the runs! Sugar levels at 13.0 after breakfast of porridge and perspiring for England (sorry folks) so not feeling well at all today!

Sorry to hear that Grace...possibly the porridge...some here tolerate porridge fairly well...others not...very much a case of experimenting...then testing...it can take a little while to become familiar with is suitable in our diets...fortunately you are testing...can assess the effects of the food you are eating...ah...metformin...what can I say about that...it can have a drastic effect on our digestion...and all that goes with that...suffered with that myself...luckily that lasted for a couple of weeks...I persevered...it stopped...what version of Metformin are you on...the standard one...or the extended release version...if its the standard one...and the problem persists...you can ask for the extended release version...many say its kinder on the system...you'll get there Grace...it can/does get easier...give yourself some leeway...plenty of support here...enjoy your weekend.

 

[GracesGrandma]

Oh lord, that's why I'm always so hungry then

 

[GracesGrandma]

Sorry to hear that Grace...possibly the porridge...some here tolerate porridge fairly well...others not...very much a case of experimenting...then testing...it can take a little while to become familiar with is suitable in our diets...fortunately you are testing...can assess the effects of the food you are eating...ah...metformin...what can I say about that...it can have a drastic effect on our digestion...and all that goes with that...suffered with that myself...luckily that lasted for a couple of weeks...I persevered...it stopped...what version of Metformin are you on...the standard one...or the extended release version...if its the standard one...and the problem persists...you can ask for the extended release version...many say its kinder on the system...you'll get there Grace...it can/does get easier...give yourself some leeway...plenty of support here...enjoy your weekend.

 

[grovesy]

It is porridge seems to spike some people's blood sugars, not making them hungry.

 

[Bubbsie]

Oh lord, that's why I'm always so hungry then

It dose take time to adjust Grace...we're used to carbs in our diets...suddenly we have to limit them...rather like being told that you can't have something...the more its denied...the more we want it...crave it...there are so many other options...we're never going to get this right on the first go...all about perseverance...have you read much about T2...honestly...you will get there...although its difficult to believe that initially...felt exactly the same as you do now when I was diagnosed...keep at it Grace.

 

[GracesGrandma]

Oh gosh, it's all so confusing isn't it I'm taking the standard Metformin but the doc did say if I was struggling with it I could change to the other one, but I will persevere and give it a chance to work. Thanks for all the support, I feel quite tearful just now, I've just laid on the bed as I'm so tired and think the Lupus is flaring again Enjoy your weekend ☔️ Sunshine and showers here